Cutting the Groom’s Tie is a wedding custom amongst the Italians. Do you know: The groom’s tie after his wedding is actually cut into small pieces. Once the tie is cut into many pieces, the friends of the bride and the groom walk from table to table at the reception, circulating the pieces of the […]
Happily, the boatman agreed. He fetched water in a pot and lovingly washed Rama’s feet. Picking up his oars, he seated the three of them in his old boat and ferried them across the river. When they reached the opposite bank, they got down and turned to thank the boatman. He fell at Rama’s feet,
Both Charivari and Coup de Marriage are French wedding customs. Do you know: When the bride and the groom leave their reception, the guests place laurel leaves in their path. During the wedding, it is customary for the bride and the groom to drink wine from a two-handled cup, known as Coup de Marriage. Charivari
Rama bade farewell to Guha, thanking him. He found a boatman on the banks and requested him to ferry them all across River Ganga. The boatman appeared to be slightly reluctant. Rama questioned him so the simple fellow said, “I have heard of you and of your powers. You turned a rock into a woman
Common name : Humped cattle, Brahman Scientific name : Bos taurus indicus Family : Bovidae Native to : Africa, South Asia Interesting fact : Nandi, revered in India, is a zebu. Conservation status : Domesticated There are seventy-five species of zebus; they are a commercial animals, providing hides, milk, meat, bones for fertilizers, etc. They
Customs involving gold and silver ornaments are very popular among the Hindu customs. Do you know: A woman wearing a toe ring on the second toe has a healthy Ayurvedic effect on the body. According to the Hindu customs, a married woman must wear a toe ring on her second toe after marriage. This custom
Sumantra took the chariot to the southern bank of the Ganga, which marked the boundary of the kingdom of Kaushala. They decided to rest there that night. Guha was the chieftain of all the Nishada tribes, the forest dwellers. He was a great admirer of Rama, and devoted himself to his service. He came to
The chariot halted on the banks of the Tamasa River that night. Everyone slept, exhausted, from walking and from grief. While Sumantra unhitched the horses and watered and fed them. Rama, Seeta and Lakshmana said their evening prayers. Rama told Lakshmana and Seeta the value of keeping a fast as a way to become more
The Tree-Marrying custom is also prevalent amongst people in the south of Thailand. Do you know: Men specifically at the age of 21 are married to a tree in Thailand. Young men at the age of 21 years are married to a tree in Thailand as a sign of vitality being bestowed on the young
Dasharatha was miserable seeing not only Rama but also the delicate Seeta leaving for the forest. How would she cope with the hardships of life in the forest? His brave Lakshmana was also with them. He was losing all three at one stroke! He asked Sumantra to escort them as far as possible and look
The news of Kaikeyi’s demands, and Rama’s decision spread like wildfire through the palace and the kingdom. It was received with grief and anger everywhere. But Rama’s face was as peaceful and pleasant as always. He was doing his duty as he carried out his father’s instructions. Whether he was asked to be the Crown
Lakshmana had waited outside the door and was furious at Kaikeyi. Rama calmed him down. He had to uphold his father’s promise and ensure that his word was honoured. Lakshmana said he would go with him to serve him in the forest. Nothing Rama said would stop him. Rama told his mother, Kaushalya, who was
Common name : Banded duiker, Striped back duiker Scientific name : Cephalophus zebra Family : Bovidae Native to : Liberia, the Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Guinea Interesting fact : Its main predator is the leopard. Conservation status : Vulnerable Zebra duikers have gold or red-brown coats with 12-16 distinctive zebra-like stripes, dark markings on
With a heavy heart, Dasharatha called Sumantra. Kaikeyi sent him to fetch Rama immediately. Sumantra gave the message to Rama, who hurried to obey. Rama entered the Anger Room, and was shocked to see his father sitting on the ground, looking shattered. “Mother,” he asked Kaikeyi. “What has happened to father?” “Rama, your father promised
This custom is a wedding custom in Vietnam. Do you know: A night prior to the wedding, the bride’s mother will make her hair neat with many combs, each serving a different purpose. In Vietnamese weddings, the groom’s mother is meant to carry pink chalk and betel nuts to the bride’s home. Both these items